Whenever I am asked to name an influential person in my life, a few people come to mind, one of them being my fourth grade teacher: Mrs. Liddell. I could tell you every little detail about that class: where I sat, what kids were in it, and how much I cried on the last day. Her class was unlike what I had experienced in school up until that point. The class was individualized, and I felt like she personally cared for each and every one of us by working one on one with her. We were encouraged to think creatively, and to apply things like the math lessons to everyday life. For example, we did an activity where we created our own bank accounts. It was considered a math lesson, because learning about money was part of the curriculum. However, in the process, we learned how to handle and distribute money, write checks, and make deposits, all things that are essential to know in everyday life.
I remember writing a lot in her class, whether it was a personal essay, or an explanation of how I arrived at my math answer. I can recall one specific time where we were given some lines and were asked to explain a math problem step by step. It took me a long time, but I finally finished, and I raised my hand to tell Mrs. Liddell that I was done. She replied "Okay, now turn to a person who doesn't quite understand and tell them to read your explanation." So I handed my paper to the girl next to me, and she read it slowly. Then, she handed it back to me and said, "Wait, I think I understand it now." I was so proud of my explanation that I ran back over to Mrs. Liddell and told her that I taught my friend how to do it. Looking back, I realize that you have to be able to explain your thought process in a clear and methodical manner in order to fully understand the material. When I wrote that explanation, it wasn't just to teach my friend, but it was also a way for Mrs. Liddell to test my own level of understanding.
On the more creative side, I remember writing my own short stories in her class, not because it was assigned, but because I knew that she would take the time to read it and be proud of me. I wrote one about how amazing technology can be, and how something like a video camera can allow us to capture moments crucial moments in our lives so that we can look back and relive them later. I wrote about how much I loved to watch videos of myself and my siblings when we were little, and how lucky I was to be able to do that. I titled it "I Remember" and used ideas like repetition that we had learned in class. Traditionally in school, we are required to "write a two page paper using one example of alliteration, two examples of personification, three metaphors, etc.," but somehow, Mrs. Liddell got me to write using these things on my own, without being assigned. I was so excited to stay in for recess and let her read it, and I was beaming with pride when she smiled and said "Hayley, this is really good!" She continued to correct it so that I could write my final draft, and I still have it to this day.
A lot of the things that I learned in this class stuck in my head because we learned them in fun, hands-on ways. She was also the drama teacher, so she would read books with expression to really engage us. I remember her reading Shiloh and changing her voice with the characters. When she called on us to read, my classmates and I would try to mimic her tones. Another time, we were split up into groups to make a "Tiny Town." We had so much fun that we barely even realized that we were working. We measured the perimeter of our land and the volume of our houses, but we also got to come up with creative ways to layout the town and decide what stores would be in the town center. I know that these were effective ways of teaching because here I am, nine years later, recalling these little details. Sometimes, I still find myself singing the multiplication wrap that she taught us. In fact, I even taught it to a little third grade girl who I tutor. I have remained close with this teacher ever since because I co-run a drama camp with her every summer. In fact, she has already come to visit me in college, and I have spent a lot of time helping her out in her classroom.
I remember writing a lot in her class, whether it was a personal essay, or an explanation of how I arrived at my math answer. I can recall one specific time where we were given some lines and were asked to explain a math problem step by step. It took me a long time, but I finally finished, and I raised my hand to tell Mrs. Liddell that I was done. She replied "Okay, now turn to a person who doesn't quite understand and tell them to read your explanation." So I handed my paper to the girl next to me, and she read it slowly. Then, she handed it back to me and said, "Wait, I think I understand it now." I was so proud of my explanation that I ran back over to Mrs. Liddell and told her that I taught my friend how to do it. Looking back, I realize that you have to be able to explain your thought process in a clear and methodical manner in order to fully understand the material. When I wrote that explanation, it wasn't just to teach my friend, but it was also a way for Mrs. Liddell to test my own level of understanding.
On the more creative side, I remember writing my own short stories in her class, not because it was assigned, but because I knew that she would take the time to read it and be proud of me. I wrote one about how amazing technology can be, and how something like a video camera can allow us to capture moments crucial moments in our lives so that we can look back and relive them later. I wrote about how much I loved to watch videos of myself and my siblings when we were little, and how lucky I was to be able to do that. I titled it "I Remember" and used ideas like repetition that we had learned in class. Traditionally in school, we are required to "write a two page paper using one example of alliteration, two examples of personification, three metaphors, etc.," but somehow, Mrs. Liddell got me to write using these things on my own, without being assigned. I was so excited to stay in for recess and let her read it, and I was beaming with pride when she smiled and said "Hayley, this is really good!" She continued to correct it so that I could write my final draft, and I still have it to this day.
A lot of the things that I learned in this class stuck in my head because we learned them in fun, hands-on ways. She was also the drama teacher, so she would read books with expression to really engage us. I remember her reading Shiloh and changing her voice with the characters. When she called on us to read, my classmates and I would try to mimic her tones. Another time, we were split up into groups to make a "Tiny Town." We had so much fun that we barely even realized that we were working. We measured the perimeter of our land and the volume of our houses, but we also got to come up with creative ways to layout the town and decide what stores would be in the town center. I know that these were effective ways of teaching because here I am, nine years later, recalling these little details. Sometimes, I still find myself singing the multiplication wrap that she taught us. In fact, I even taught it to a little third grade girl who I tutor. I have remained close with this teacher ever since because I co-run a drama camp with her every summer. In fact, she has already come to visit me in college, and I have spent a lot of time helping her out in her classroom.